Novel musical instrument with free reeds

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a musical instrument having free reeds set into vibration by a flow of air generated by a supply ( 17 ) and capable of flowing from the supply in two directions referred to respectively as in and out, the instrument comprising: at least two boxes ( 2, 3 ) that are movable relative to each other by moving towards each other or apart from each other; a series of free reeds ( 27 ) mounted inside said boxes; and a valve actuator mechanism ( 31 ) where opening and closing the valves enables the reeds to be engaged or not engaged by the flow of air, the mechanism including in particular actuator keys ( 11 ) mounted on the moving boxes. The instrument of the invention includes means ( 5 ) for supporting and guiding displacement of the boxes relative to each other along a determined trajectory.

The present invention relates to the technical field of wind instrumentsof the kind having “free” reeds, such as, for example: accordions;bandoneons; concertinas; bayans; etc.

In the state of the art, this type of instrument comprises at least twoboxes movable relative to each other by being moved towards each otheror away from each other by the player. Generally, the boxes areinterconnected by a bellows defining an air supply that is of variablecapacity and that is in communication with a series of cells formed inboards carried by the boxes. Each cell is provided with two free reedsthat are caused to vibrate by the inward or outward flow of aircorresponding to the bellows being filled or emptied.

The cells are fitted with valves which, on being opened and closed,determine whether or not the reeds are engaged by the flow of air. Thevalves are controlled by a mechanism including in particular keysmounted on the boxes to be actuated by the player.

In conventional manner, the box for the right hand remains stationary,being supported by straps, while the box for the left hand moves toexpand or to squeeze the bellows. It should also be observed that themusician must carry the weight of the box in the left hand, whilesimultaneously seeking to perform the part of the music that is for theleft hand.

The invention thus seeks to remedy the drawbacks of free reed musicalinstruments in the state of the art by proposing an instrument thatmakes playing considerably more comfortable, in particular for the lefthand.

The invention thus seeks to achieve this object by proposing a musicalinstrument having free reeds set into vibration by a flow of airgenerated by an air supply and capable of flowing from the supply in twodirections referred to respectively as in and out, the instrumentcomprising:

-   -   at least two boxes that are movable relative to each other by        moving towards each other or apart from each other;    -   a series of free reeds mounted inside said boxes; and    -   a valve actuator mechanism, where opening and closing the valves        enables the reeds to be engaged or not engaged by the flow of        air, the mechanism including in particular actuator keys mounted        on the moving boxes.

In accordance with the invention, the instrument includes support andguide means for supporting and guiding displacement of the boxesrelative to each other along a determined trajectory.

In the state of the art, it has also been found that problems ofdiscontinuity in sound result from the movements of the bellows. Inaddition, in order to prolong a note or a chord, the musician mustcontinue to move the bellows in a single direction to arms length.

Another object of the invention is to remedy the above-mentioneddrawbacks by proposing a musical instrument in which the air supply isof fixed capacity and in which at least one moving member forcompressing air can be moved, with the movement thereof being controlledby the moving box.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the flowof air leaving the air supply travels in a single direction, thus makingit possible to use a single reed for the same note.

Another object of the invention is to propose a musical instrumentincluding an electronic transducer system providing an improvement insensitivity and precision in transducing sound, while being relativelyinsensitive to sound disturbances from the environment.

To achieve such an object the instrument of the invention includes, foreach reed, a feeler that is in permanent contact with the reed, beingconstrained in rotation with a transducer for converting pivotingmovement into an electrical signal.

Various other characteristics appear from the following description madewith reference to the accompanying drawings which show, as non-limitingexamples, embodiments and implementations of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a first embodiment of amusical instrument in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are cross-section views showing two characteristicoperating positions of the instrument of the invention as shown in FIGS.1 and 2.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view showing a characteristic detail of theinstrument shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the mechanism foractuating the reed valves.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a characteristic detail of the invention.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are respectively an end view and a side view of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of aninstrument in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a characteristic detail of the variantembodiment shown in FIG. 10.

As can be seen more clearly from FIGS. 1 to 5, the invention relates toa novel musical instrument given overall reference 1. In this embodimentas shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the musical instrument 1 comprises a “fixed”first box 2 and a “moving” second box 3.

In accordance with the invention, the instrument 1 includes support andguide means 5 for supporting and guiding relative displacement betweenthe boxes 2, 3 along a determined trajectory. In the example shown, thesupport and guide means 5 enable the boxes 2, 3 to move about a pivotaxis 6 so that the trajectory or path followed by the moving boxconstitutes a circular segment. In the example shown, the “right-hand”or fixed box 2 serves to govern movement of the “left-hand” or movingbox 3. In other words, it should be understood that the weight of themoving box 3 is supported by the fixed box 2 so that the left hand doesnot need to deliver any effort to support the box, but delivers effortsolely for moving the moving box 3, as explained below. Playing comfortfor the musician is considerably improved by the assisted movement andreduced stroke of the moving hand.

As can be seen more precisely in FIG. 2, the fixed box 2 possesses apreferably concave back 8 for fitting round the chest of the musician.The back 8 is extended from one side over substantially 90° by a roundedouter wall 9, having actuator keys 11 implanted therein, which keys maybe made in any suitable manner, i.e. buttons, piano keys, pads, etc.

The fixed box 2 is arranged to enable the moving box 3 to be partiallyreceived therein, which moving box 3 is fitted with the pivot shaft 6which is guided in pivoting at each of its end by bearings 13 providedin a bottom closure plate 14 and a top closure plate 14 ₁ that aremounted on the fixed box 2. In the example shown, the closure plates 14,14 ₁ are fitted to the fixed box 2 so as to form parts thereof, howeverit is clear that the closure plates 14, 14 ₁ could be constituted asintegral portions of the fixed box 2.

The moving box 3 has a rounded outside wall 15 which also has actuatorkeys 11 implanted on the front thereof. The moving box 3 is dimensionedso as to enable it to turn relative to the fixed box 2 over a stroke of{fraction (1/8)}th of a turn, for example. As can be seen clearly inFIGS. 3 and 4, the moving box 3 thus leaves an empty space 16 relativeto the fixed box, thereby defining its stroke, which empty space 16 mayoptionally be fitted with a dummy bellows.

At its edge, the moving box 3 preferably includes rolling bearing andsealing means that co-operate with the bottom and top plates 14 and 14₁. According to another characteristic of the invention, the musicalinstrument 1 includes means (not shown) for delivering a force opposingthe movement of bringing the boxes 2, 3 together, so as to comply withthe musician's playing habits. This opposing force may naturally beadjustable, or even disconnectable, and it can be implemented by anyappropriate means, such as a spring, a pneumatic system, or even ahydraulic system.

The instrument 1 is also preferably fitted with means for delivering aforce urging the boxes 2, 3 apart while they are being moved apart.These means for delivering a force that urges the boxes apart make iteasier to return the moving box 3 from its front position to its rearposition. Implementing such means, alone or in combination with themeans for delivering an opposing force, can avoid any need to use astrap on the left hand.

According to another preferred embodiment characteristic, at least themoving box 3 is fitted, close to the zone where the actuators keys areimplanted, with zones against which the thumb or the palm of the handcan bear, making it easy to control the resistance delivered by theopposing means and/or the separating means, while still leaving thefingers free to actuate the keys 11.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, theinstrument 1 includes an air supply 17 of fixed capacity, within whichthere moves at least one moving compression member 3. In an embodiment,the fixed box 2 is arranged to define individual internal chambers 19,there being four in the example shown, which are closed in part and inairtight manner by the moving box 3 and by the bottom and top plates 14and 14 ₁. The individual chambers 19 communicate with one another via acircuit 20 shown diagrammatically and constituting the supply 17 offixed capacity. As its compression member, the moving box 3 is fittedwith arms 21 that project from the pivot shaft 6 inside each of theindividual chambers 19. According to a preferred embodimentcharacteristic, at least one end-of-stroke abutment is provided betweenthe boxes 2 and 3 so as to ensure that the boxes themselves do not makecontact with each other, thereby avoiding a sticking phenomenon whenchanging the travel direction of the moving box.

The musical instrument 1 also includes air inlets 23 arranged in theexample shown through the bottom plate 14 and opening out into theindividual chambers 19. The air inlets 23 are fitted with regulatormeans (not shown) such as valves so as to ensure that air flows throughthem only into the supply 17. Thus, the air present in the supply 17cannot escape through the inlets 23.

The air supply 17 delivers air via at least one, and in the exampleshown two, outlets 24 to two boards 25 each mounted in a respective oneof the boxes 2, 3 and each arranged to include a series of cells 26 eachfitted with at least one free reed 27 for being engaged by the flow ofair leaving the supply 17. The cells 26 which may be positioned in anysuitable manner as shown in FIG. 5 communicate firstly, on theirdownstream sides, with air outlets 24 fitted with regulator means (notshown) ensuring that air flows only outwards from the supply 17 towardsthe cells 26, and secondly, on their upstream sides, with holes 28allowing air to escape to the outside of the instrument. In other words,air going to the cells 26 can enter only via the air outlets 24.According to a preferred embodiment characteristic, the escape holes 28are provided in a rounded portion of the walls of the boxes 2, 3 so asto enable sound to be well delivered and distributed to the outsideenvironment. These escape holes 28 may be fitted with sound-diffusingflaps, in particular moving flaps, for example flaps whose movement isgoverned by the general movement of the instrument in order to projectsound in a direction that is constant.

As can be seen from the above description, the instrument 1 includesmeans for channeling the air flow, which means are adapted to ensurethat the flow for engaging the reeds 27 always travels past the reeds inthe same direction, independently of the direction in which the flowtravels from the supply 17, i.e. compression or suction.

In conventional manner, each cell 26 is provided with a passage 30fitted with a valve 31, which on being opened and closed serves todetermine whether the reeds 27 are engaged or not engaged by the flow ofair. The valves 31 are controlled by an actuator mechanism including theactuator keys 11. The actuator keys 11 control the displacement of thevalves 31 in any appropriate manner. In a preferred variant embodimentas shown in FIG. 6, each valve 31 is caused to move by an electromagnet32 controlled by a converter for converting light energy into electricalenergy. The light energy is conveyed by an optical fiber that forms partof the actuator mechanism, and having on the path thereof an element forregulating light energy under the control of a key 11. The electromagnetmoves the valve 31, which is preferably biased into position by a spring31. In another embodiment, each valve 31 may be constituted by apiezoelectric diaphragm controlled by a converter for converting lightenergy into electrical energy.

According to an advantageous embodiment characteristic, as shown inFIGS. 7 to 9, each reed 27 is fitted with a feeler 33 mounted to makecontinuous contact with the reed. The feeler 33 is preferably made ofplastics material, being extremely light in weight, and possibly havinga pad of damper material at its point of contact with the reed, whiledelivering negligible resistance to vibration of the reed as transmittedby the flow of air. The feeler 33 is preferably in contact with the freeend of the reed 27, i.e. its end remote from its fixed end 271. In theexample shown, the feeler 33 is carried by a lever 34 that isconstrained to turn with an optical type transducer 36. The transducer36 comprise a rotary disk 37 constrained to turn with the lever 34, andthat is urged resiliently by a spring to maintain permanent contactbetween the feeler 33 and the reed. The rotary disk 37 is fitted with anoptical element 38 suitable for concentrating, decomposing, diffracting,reflecting, or diverting light radiation that is delivered and picked upby optical fibers 39. The beams that are picked up are used by aprocessor circuit (not shown) making it possible to determine thevibratory movement of the free reeds 27 with precision. The opticaltransducer 36 of the invention which converts the optical signals intoelectrical signals serves to translate the acoustic characteristics ofthe instrument faithfully. It should be observed that the transducer 36for transducing the vibratory movement of the reeds could be of theelectromagnetic type.

In the variant embodiment described above, in which each reed 27 isassociated with a transducer, provision can be made for the reeds to bemade out of any type of material, such as a plastics material, selectedas a function of capacity to vibrate, and not on acoustic grounds. Undersuch circumstances, it should be understood that the free reeds 27correspond to sound reeds or vibrating blades. The reeds 27 can bedistributed at will within the instrument on supports that can beconsidered, by way of analogy, as being boards.

In a variant embodiment to which the valves 31 are controlled by meansof a light energy converter, the optical fibers for conveying the lightenergy may be used to bring light energy to the optical transducers 36.In this variant, the actuator keys 11 at rest prevent light energy frompassing, and when actuated they allow light energy to pass, e.g. inprogressively increasing quantity. This results in savings in terms ofthe dimensioning of the power supply for the instrument.

In another variant embodiment, the circuit for processing the signalstransmitted by the transducer 36 may include means for replicating thewave that is generated, insofar as the feeler 33 is liable to losecontact with the reed, under certain circumstances of rough andirregular operation. Such signal replication means are capable ofpartially reconstituting the spoilt waveform, during the extremely shortperiod of time the feeler 33 and the associated reed 27 are no longer incontact.

In the embodiment described above, the musical instrument 1 presents theadvantage of reducing the moving mass for the left hand. Naturally,means could be envisaged for supporting and guiding the displacement ofthe moving box along trajectories that are other than in rotation, forexample that are linear, optionally combined with rotation, and that aredirected from left to right or from bottom to top. Similarly, theinstrument may be made with a fixed box having two moving boxessupported and guided in displacement relative thereto along determinedtrajectories.

In order to improve the playing comfort for the musician, the actuatorkeys 11 may be movably mounted, steerable, or even servo-controlled tothe movement of the moving box, in particular to maintain a constantangle for the player's wrist.

In the embodiment shown, the moving member 18 for compressing air isconstituted by moving arms that move inside individual chambers 19.Naturally, provision can be made to use other embodiments of movingcompression members 18, such as, for example, disks, flaps, or pistons,having the pivoting and/or translation motion of the moving boxdelivered thereto by transmission means, e.g. of the cam, connectingrod, wormscrew, pinion gearing, etc. type.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show another variant embodiment of a musical instrument1. The various members that are common with the variant embodiment shownin the preceding figures remain identical. In this variant embodimentthe instrument 1 comprises a fixed box 2 and a moving box 3 moving abouta hinge axis 6. The air supply 17 is constituted by at least one, and inthe example shown two, individual chambers 19, each arranged in a boxand communicating with inlets and escape holes 28 made in the base ofthe instrument. Each individual chamber 19 is fitted with a moving aircompression member 18 such as a piston or a disk that moves linearlyinside the chamber 19 that is implemented in the form of a cylinder,movement being driven by a transmission that converts the pivotingmotion of the moving box into linear motion. It should be observed thatthe left-hand portion of FIG. 11 shows air flow when suction is createdin the supply 17, whereas the right-hand portion of FIG. 11 shows airflow when compression is created in the supply 17.

The individual chambers 19 communicate with one another via a connectioncircuit 20. Each box 2, 3 includes an enclosure 41 for reversing airflow connected to an individual chamber 19 via a hole 40 and to a duct42 for admitting air to the cells 26 that is formed in the or each board25, via an air admission check valve 43. The admission duct 42 fittedwith air inlets 421 communicates via the cells 26 with an air escapeduct 44 provided with air outlets 45 and with an air escape check valve46 to pass communication with the flow reversal enclosure 41. Thus, theflow that engages the reeds 27 always flows past them in the samedirection regardless of the direction in which air flows from the supply17.

In another variant embodiment, the instrument 1 includes sensorssuitable for detecting variations in the strength of the outgoing and/orincoming flow of air relative to the supply 17. These anemometer typesensors are connected to conversion and processor circuits forgenerating all types of sound effect such as the “wha-wha” effect or totrigger, while having a frequency imparted thereto, so-called “delayline” effects (delays, phasing, flangers, . . . ).

The invention is not limited to the elements described and shown sincevarious modifications can be made thereto without going beyond the ambitof the invention.

1. A musical instrument having free reeds set into vibration by a flowof air generated by an air supply (17) and capable of flowing from thesupply in two directions referred to respectively as in and out, theinstrument comprising: at least two boxes (2, 3) that are movablerelative to each other by moving towards each other or apart from eachother; a series of free reeds (27) mounted inside said boxes; and avalve actuator mechanism (31), where opening and closing the valvesenables the reeds to be engaged or not engaged by the flow of air, themechanism including in particular actuator keys (11) mounted on themoving boxes; the instrument being characterized in that it includessupport and guide means (5) for supporting and guiding displacement ofthe boxes relative to each other along a determined trajectory.
 2. Aninstrument according to claim 1, characterized in that the support andguide means (5) cause the boxes to move relative to each other about atleast one pivot axis (6).
 3. An instrument according to claim 1,characterized in that the support and guide means (5) cause one of theboxes (3) to move on a fixed box (2).
 4. An instrument according toclaim 1, characterized in that the air supply (17) possesses a fixedcapacity within which there moves at least one moving air compressionmember (18) with displacement thereof being controlled by the moving box(3).
 5. An instrument according to claim 3, characterized in that themoving box (3) is mounted on the fixed box (2) about a pivot axis (6)and as its moving compression member (18) includes arms (21) extendinginside individual chambers (19) connected together to form the airsupply.
 6. An instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that itincludes means for creating a force opposing the movement of the boxes(2, 3) towards each other and/or for urging the boxes (2, 3) apart fromeach other while they are moving apart.
 7. An instrument according toclaim 1, characterized in that it includes means for channeling the airflow that are adapted so that the flow engaging each reed (27) alwaysflows in the same direction, independently of the flow direction fromthe supply.
 8. An instrument according to claim 7, characterized in thatthe air flow channeling means comprise: air inlets (23) fitted withregulator means allowing air admission only towards the supply (17); airoutlets (24) fitted with regulator means allowing air to flow from thesupply (17) only towards the free reeds (27); and a series of cells (26)each fitted with at least one free reed (27) and a valve (31) of theactuator mechanism, the cells (26) being fed by the air supply (17) andcommunicating with escape holes (28).
 9. An instrument according toclaim 7, characterized in that the air flow channeling means comprise:air inlets and air outlets provided in the boxes; at least oneindividual chamber (19) provided in at least one of the boxes so as toconstitute the air supply (17); a series of cells (26) each providedwith at least one free reed (27) and a valve (31) of the actuatormechanism; and an air flow reversing enclosure (41) connected to anindividual chamber (19), and firstly a duct (42) for admitting air tothe cells (26) and fitted with an air admission check valve (43), andsecondly an air escape duct (44) provided with an air escape check valve(46).
 10. An instrument according to claim 8, characterized in that eachvalve (31) of a cell is caused to move by an electromagnet controlled bya converter for converting light energy into electrical energy, thelight energy being conveyed by an optical fiber forming part of theactuator mechanism.
 11. An instrument according to claim 8,characterized in that each valve (31) of a cell is constituted by apiezoelectric diaphragm controlled by a converter for converting lightenergy into electrical energy.
 12. An instrument according to claim 8,characterized in that the each box (2, 3) possesses a rounded outer wall(9, 15) in which the escape holes (28) are arranged.
 13. An instrumentaccording to claim 1, characterized in that each reed (27) is fittedwith a feeler (33) in permanent contact with the reed, the feeler beingconstrained in pivoting with a transducer (36) for converting thepivoting movement of the reed into an electrical signal.
 14. Aninstrument according to claim 13, characterized in that the feeler (33)in permanent contact is constrained to turn with an optical typetransducer (36).
 15. An instrument according to claim 1, characterizedin that it includes sensors suitable for detecting variations in theintensity of the air flow leaving and/or entering the supply (17) inorder to enable sound effects to be generated.
 16. An instrumentaccording to claim 4, characterized in that the moving box (3) ismounted on the fixed box (2) about a pivot axis (6) and as its movingcompression member (18) includes arms (21) extending inside individualchambers (19) connected together to form the air supply.
 17. Aninstrument according to claim 9, characterized in that each valve (31)of a cell is caused to move by an electromagnet controlled by aconverter for converting light energy into electrical energy, the lightenergy being conveyed by an optical fiber forming part of the actuatormechanism.
 18. An instrument according to claim 9, characterized in thateach valve (31) of a cell is constituted by a piezoelectric diaphragmcontrolled by a converter for converting light energy into electricalenergy.
 19. An instrument according to claim 9, characterized in thatthe each box (2, 3) possesses a rounded outer wall (9, 15) in which theescape holes (28) are arranged.